Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-09-16
NEXT OF KIN.

1t is rather remarkable that there is
generally very little originality in
frauds. The same old scheme that sarv.
ed to take the cash from the pockets of
the unwary score of years ago finds its
victims to-day, Notwithstanding it has
been exposed in the papers a thousand
times. OF course the persons taken in
and don for are those who do not read
the papers and many people would say
that it served them right, still il is the
duty of good paper 10 expose fraud
wherever it finds it, and if there are any
who don't take heed the fault is their
own.
In 1860 George Mifflin Dallas was Min
lister of the United States at the British
Court. General Cass, of Michigan, was
Secretary of State, and March 27 of that
year Mr. Dallas wrote him about the next
of kin frauds that were then taking a
good deal of money from the pockets ol
innocent citizens of the United States.
Here is an extract from the Dallas letter
| of that date:
- 1t would really seem according to the
old couplet that
The pleasure is as great
or being cheated as to cheat
For our acute countrymen almost hurry to
be duped by the rogues on that side OF the
Atlantic. They apparently like being, n
lambs in hot weather, sffeciunately ileec-
ed. The conspirators IN London ascertain
ed the residences Of individuals in most o
the United States from local directorie.
They sent by post numberess letters care
fully addressed TO all parts OF the Union
especially to the interior. Each letter stat,
ed that the writer ha.. accidentally discov-
cred a will or an estate in which II appear
ed that his correspondent was largely in
ierested and that lie would Investigate
records and collect proofs il the trifini
sum Of So or $40 were sent him."
Thousands sent their money and wer
cheated. So extensive were the fraud
that they had 10 be taken notice oi by III
government.
All this was more Than quarter of
century ago, aud yet the old fraud -four
lsl,es like green bay tree. The subjec
came up the other day In Parliament.
seems that there is very exaggerated no
ton in America about the amount OF mon
ey lying unclaimed in chancery. 1t la
been stated that upwards of S5000C0, 90
is yearning for claimants. The truth
that there is less than $5000,000. Nj
Robertson, who brought the question II
in Parliament, SAID that ons adventure
, spent E350 week advertising for viclimi
, 1t is proposed to con6scale the El ,00'
900 now in chancery for the Use Of I'll
State, and thus put it where il will
some good, aud al the same time preyel
The next OF kin frauds from robbing peo
pie who generally can i'll spare the none.
: 1t is doubtful il the confscalion will has
( The effect Of keeping people from bein
cheated. The fnct that there is no none
4 IN chanrery will not embarrass the rogn,
= in the least. The best plan seems to
, to give all the publicity possible to III
= cheat and thus gel people 10 stop the hal
r II of sending money 10 irresponsible pei
sons.
E The moral appears TO be that il 20
9 want fortune you should go to work M
make one, aud not fool away your tin
! and money trying to establish claims
. estates that very likely never had any e,
islence.